Bluetooth technology started off slowly after
its introduction but has found its way into the mainstream with
cell phones and Bluetooth headsets leading the way of commonly used
pairings. We also see pairings of printers and cameras, cell phones
through car audio, and connections for motorcyclists between driver
and pillion passenger, or even between separate motorcycles.

I recently took a motorcycle trip on a BMW
k1200LT and used a Sena SMH10 (www.SenaBluetooth.com)
Bluetooth communication device. In a word, wow! This is light years
ahead of all the previous devices described. Not only can these
systems communicate totally wirelessly from rider to passenger,
they can be used to communicate from bike to bike. Since you must
program two units to work together, you won’t pick up
conversations from other people with Bluetooth devices. You
don’t have to worry about your conversations being
listened to by anyone else. Additionally, you can integrate with a
Bluetooth enabled cell phone and automatically answer calls, hands
free. You can enjoy your favorite stereo music from your A2DP
enabled cell phone or MP3 player and listen to the audio navigation
message from your Bluetooth enabled GPS.

Here’s what the interconnections looks
like graphically, followed by what the system looks like on your
helmet:

Bluetooth multiple interconnections

Sena SMH10 Bluetooth headset on the lower
left of the helmet – the transmitter and battery connect
to helmet with sturdy clamps – drilling holes not
needed

The trip was about 2,000 total miles, taking two
days to our destination in the Smokey Mountains near Asheville, NC
and then two days back to FL. We started out with the excitement
level high because we needed to outrun a tropical storm, which
meant that our planned route of taking all back roads was changed
to all interstate routes - until we were out of the rain bands.
That storm eventually dropped up to 27-in over four days in some
places in north Florida. Luckily, we got ahead of the storm and
enjoyed peaceful driving on the back roads of Georgia and North
Carolina.

The Sena Bluetooth system uses lithium polymer
batteries and each full charge provides 14 hours of talk time,
considerably longer than the 12 hours listed on the spec sheet. The
clarity of the voice was crystal clear up to about 60 mph. Above 60
mph the road-noise and wind became an issue but were easily
counteracted by turning up the volume via a large control wheel
(easily turned with gloved hands). In addition to a cell phone, a
GPS (which I don’t have), and a music device like an
iPod, you can talk with up to three other people using Bluetooth
devices. That last part, talking with other cyclists intrigues me
because the communication can occur up to 1,000 yards apart (at
high speeds) on flat roads and few obstructions (think Texas out in
the country). The talk distance in cities or places with many
obstructions will vary and I would appreciate any information from
readers on how well it works. The Bluetooth connection means that
you can have personal conversations with 3 other riders at the same
time, or intercom each of them separately, without other people
interfering. Those are all great but we found another important use
for the Bluetooth device – safety.

As it happened, we returned home in just as
exciting a situation as it was when we began. This time it was the
temperature that was challenging because it was triple-digit hot.
We were in temperatures of 113F, and that’s not
considering the heat from the road and motorcycle engine. We
started out in the mountains but the searing hot front was already
moving in, and by the time it was late morning the temperatures was
up near 100F and rising fast. We had plenty of water and stopped
every couple hours but that wasn’t enough. My wife
started to dehydrate and was only able to communicate, in a very
weak voice, that she was feeling faint. This is a critical
situation where you don’t have much time to respond and
shoulder taps or hand motions aren’t possible. I was able
to talk to her and keep her focused on my voice via the Bluetooth
system, as we slowed down and pulled off the heavily trafficked
road. The main lesson learned was to hydrate but also wear long
sleeve shirts to keep the body from losing fluids so quickly.
However, I like to think that technology helped keep this as a good
vacation memory by providing a way to communicate quickly and offer
a measure of safety.